Special Service Group Navy
Encyclopedia
The Special Service Group Navy, codename SSG(N), are the Pakistan Navy
's elite principal special operations naval force component. Together with the PAF
312th SS Wing
, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines
, and Rangers
, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command (P-SOC) under the joint administrative control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
of the Pakistan Defence Forces. The SSG(N) are often trained to conduct sea-air-land incursion, counter-terrorism, naval intelligence gathering, hostage rescue, and boarding. The SSG(N) are deployed deployed in a wide variety of missions, including direct action
and special reconnaissance
operations, unconventional warfare
, foreign internal defense
, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism
, and other missions. Without exception, all SSG(N) are male members of either the Navy
, or the Coast Guard
. The details of most SSG(N) missions are highly secretive, and the identities of operatives are kept classified. SSG(N) are often compared to the US Navy SEALs and Britain's Special Boat Service.
Official numbers place the strength between 700 to 1,000 however the actual strength is classified. During the training of the SSG(N) teams, the SSGN teams are occasionally sent to US Navy SEALs training school to conduct its training and exercises in special warfare training with US Navy SEALs.
, the Pakistan Navy, under advise of U.S. Navy, decided to create its own Special warfare unit, the Naval Special Services Group(SSGN) in 1966. Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan
personally took initiatives to established this unit within the navy. The United States Navy SEALs also provided their training and operational techniques to the SSG(N) as they were selected by the U.S. Government as per request of Admiral S. M. Ahsan. Training facilities were constructed in Karachi
, Peshawar
and Cherat
, and training was launched. In 1974, Pakistan Army
's Lieutenant Colonel
(Retired) Sajjad Ali Shah, was drafted from among the best of the Army's Special Service Group (SSG) officers into Navy, to be sent to the United States in 1974 to undergo the U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land training, commonly known as the Navy SEALs. After the successful completion of the world's toughest course, he was selected for basic underwater demolition course at amphibious base, Coronado
, CA
. On returning to Pakistan, he was given the task of raising Navy commando unit in Karachi. Shah, now as Commander, also took part in formulating and implementing new ideas in Moses company of SSG(N) which is tasked with an anti-terrorist role. As of today, the SSG(N) teams are currently participating in recent insurgencies in Pakistan, and provide vital support of Army and Air Force's Special Operations.
After which specific marine oriented training is provided at, PNS Iqbal, which is the SSG(N) headquarters located in Karachi. Some students are sent to United States for specialist courses. Since 1970s the SSG(N) holds joint exercises with the U.S. Navy SEALs and the Imperial Iranian Navy.
The Army's SSG force and the Air Force's SSW force have to go the same basic training which is run by the Army in Cherat
. All soldiers volunteering to join any of these forces including the SSG-N must have at least two years of prior military experience and volunteer from other formations for three-year assignments with the SSGN(N); Non-commissioned officers and enlisted men volunteer from other formations to serve permanently in the SSG(N).
All trainees must participate in an eight-month courses which includes 36-mile march or more in 12 hours, a grueling requirement that was first institutionalized by 19 Baluch regiment. They are also required to run 5 miles in 40 minutes with full gear, fully loaded. Following the course, trainees must volunteer for Air Force Airborne School. This course lasts for four weeks and all recruits must pass this course and wings are attained after conducting 5 day and 2 night static-line jumps. A large number of the SSGN operators are also HALO/HAHO
qualified.
Once the 8 month course is complete, troops who are volunteering to join the SSGN are then given specialized training in maritime and amphibious warfare at the specialized training school located in Karachi
. Some are also send to the United States and United Kingdom for specialized training with the US Navy SEALs and the British SBS.
Combat Diver badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN. Three classes of combat swimmers were recognized: 1st class to those completing an 18-mile or more swim in designated time period; 2nd class to those finishing a 12-mile swim; and 3rd class for a 6-mile swim.
and riverine domain and are capable in mounting coastal and covert beach reconnaissance which could include covert assault route preparation in advance of amphibious assault and recovery or protection of ships and oil installations subject to hostile state or non-state (terrorist) action. They are also trained in Maritime Counter-Terrorism
, assault on verified targets and the protection of VIPs.
SSG(N) are divided into three sub commands.
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
's elite principal special operations naval force component. Together with the PAF
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
312th SS Wing
Special Service Wing
The Special Service Wing, codename the SS Wing, or previously known as 312th Special Service Wing or Maroon berets, is an special operations aerospace unit of the Pakistan Air Force . The SS Wing or Maroon Berets are an elite special operations force based upon United States Air Force's Special...
, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines
Pakistan Marines
The Pakistani Marines , are the Marine Corps and amphibious corps service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Pakistani Marines are a special military operations service branch of the Pakistani Navy and part of Pakistani Armed Forces, responsible for providing force projection from the sea,...
, and Rangers
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command (P-SOC) under the joint administrative control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan
The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee , is a military administrative body of high-ranking and senior uniformed military leaders and officers in the Pakistan Defense Forces who advises the civilian Government of Pakistan, National Security Council, and Defence Minister on important military matters...
of the Pakistan Defence Forces. The SSG(N) are often trained to conduct sea-air-land incursion, counter-terrorism, naval intelligence gathering, hostage rescue, and boarding. The SSG(N) are deployed deployed in a wide variety of missions, including direct action
Direct action (military)
In the context of military special operations, direct action consists of: "Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and which employ specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy,...
and special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,...
operations, unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare is the opposite of conventional warfare. Where conventional warfare is used to reduce an opponent's military capability, unconventional warfare is an attempt to achieve military victory through acquiescence, capitulation, or clandestine support for one side of an existing...
, foreign internal defense
Foreign internal defense
Foreign internal defense is a term used by a number of Western militaries, including the United States, France and the United Kingdom, to describe an approach to combating actual or threatened insurgency in a foreign state called the Host Nation . The term counter-insurgency is more commonly used...
, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
, and other missions. Without exception, all SSG(N) are male members of either the Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
, or the Coast Guard
Pakistan Coast Guard
The Pakistan Coast Guards is an important branch of the Pakistan Civil Armed Forces and one of the six paramilitary services operating under the administrative control of Minisrty of Interior, Government of Pakistan. Pakistan Coast Guards, headquartered in Karachi, is unique in that it has...
. The details of most SSG(N) missions are highly secretive, and the identities of operatives are kept classified. SSG(N) are often compared to the US Navy SEALs and Britain's Special Boat Service.
Official numbers place the strength between 700 to 1,000 however the actual strength is classified. During the training of the SSG(N) teams, the SSGN teams are occasionally sent to US Navy SEALs training school to conduct its training and exercises in special warfare training with US Navy SEALs.
History
After the Indo-Pak 1965 September WarIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, the Pakistan Navy, under advise of U.S. Navy, decided to create its own Special warfare unit, the Naval Special Services Group(SSGN) in 1966. Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan
Syed Mohammad Ahsan
Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan HQA, SPk, DSO, was a senior three-star admiral who was the 4th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from October 20, 1966 to August 31, 1969...
personally took initiatives to established this unit within the navy. The United States Navy SEALs also provided their training and operational techniques to the SSG(N) as they were selected by the U.S. Government as per request of Admiral S. M. Ahsan. Training facilities were constructed in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
and Cherat
Cherat
Cherat is a hill station, immediately above the village of Salehkhana or Saleh Khana in the Nowshera District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan...
, and training was launched. In 1974, Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
's Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
(Retired) Sajjad Ali Shah, was drafted from among the best of the Army's Special Service Group (SSG) officers into Navy, to be sent to the United States in 1974 to undergo the U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land training, commonly known as the Navy SEALs. After the successful completion of the world's toughest course, he was selected for basic underwater demolition course at amphibious base, Coronado
Coronado
Coronado may refer to:* Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer* Rodney Coronado, a US activist* Coronado, California* Coronado, Chihuahua* Coronado, Kansas* Coronado * Coronado Yachts* Coronado 15...
, CA
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. On returning to Pakistan, he was given the task of raising Navy commando unit in Karachi. Shah, now as Commander, also took part in formulating and implementing new ideas in Moses company of SSG(N) which is tasked with an anti-terrorist role. As of today, the SSG(N) teams are currently participating in recent insurgencies in Pakistan, and provide vital support of Army and Air Force's Special Operations.
Overview
The current SSG(N) headquarters are based in Karachi, Sindh. They were modeled on the American Navy SEALs and the British Special Boat Service (SBS) as U.S. SEALS had supervised their training. It is tasked with unconventional warfare operations in the coastal regions. During the time of war, it is assigned Midget submarines to conduct offensive and defensive operations against enemy ports, ships and naval facilities. SSG(N) are also trained in underwater demolition, clearance and diving. The initial training is similar to the Army's SSG and Air Force's SSW, they also provides HALO training to the SSG(N). All of the candidates belonging to Pakistan Marines, SSG of Army and SSW of Air Force are trained together. After their training and graduation from special warfare operations, all of the officers are asked join either Forces (Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy) where they have to complete few special operations courses which last 2–3 weeks.After which specific marine oriented training is provided at, PNS Iqbal, which is the SSG(N) headquarters located in Karachi. Some students are sent to United States for specialist courses. Since 1970s the SSG(N) holds joint exercises with the U.S. Navy SEALs and the Imperial Iranian Navy.
Selection process and training
Because the members of SS(N) are sent to be trained with United States Navy SEALs, the training for SSG(N) are tough and very rigorous, and one of the toughest training programme in the world. Officers and sailors who are volunteering to join the Navy's SSG(N) force, are expected to language qualified, and must be college graduate. The drop-out rate for SSG(N) classes are over 80-90%. Those who are failed to make for SSG(N) are return to regular jobs in Navy. The SSG(N) are trained to carry and conduct clandestine operations, hidden from media and outside world. Unlike the army, SSG(N) operations are clandestine and highly secretive. All of these volunteers are fully understood that achievements made by SSG(N) members are not to be celebrated in navy.The Army's SSG force and the Air Force's SSW force have to go the same basic training which is run by the Army in Cherat
Cherat
Cherat is a hill station, immediately above the village of Salehkhana or Saleh Khana in the Nowshera District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan...
. All soldiers volunteering to join any of these forces including the SSG-N must have at least two years of prior military experience and volunteer from other formations for three-year assignments with the SSGN(N); Non-commissioned officers and enlisted men volunteer from other formations to serve permanently in the SSG(N).
All trainees must participate in an eight-month courses which includes 36-mile march or more in 12 hours, a grueling requirement that was first institutionalized by 19 Baluch regiment. They are also required to run 5 miles in 40 minutes with full gear, fully loaded. Following the course, trainees must volunteer for Air Force Airborne School. This course lasts for four weeks and all recruits must pass this course and wings are attained after conducting 5 day and 2 night static-line jumps. A large number of the SSGN operators are also HALO/HAHO
HALO/HAHO
Military free-fall form of insertion.PurposeDelivering personnel, equipment, or supplies.HALOHigh-Altitude/Low-OpeningHAHOHigh-Altitude/High-OpeningOrigins...
qualified.
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
. Some are also send to the United States and United Kingdom for specialized training with the US Navy SEALs and the British SBS.
Combat Diver badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN. Three classes of combat swimmers were recognized: 1st class to those completing an 18-mile or more swim in designated time period; 2nd class to those finishing a 12-mile swim; and 3rd class for a 6-mile swim.
Capabilities
The role of the SSG)N) members are predominantly focused on the littoralLittoral
The littoral zone is that part of a sea, lake or river that is close to the shore. In coastal environments the littoral zone extends from the high water mark, which is rarely inundated, to shoreline areas that are permanently submerged. It always includes this intertidal zone and is often used to...
and riverine domain and are capable in mounting coastal and covert beach reconnaissance which could include covert assault route preparation in advance of amphibious assault and recovery or protection of ships and oil installations subject to hostile state or non-state (terrorist) action. They are also trained in Maritime Counter-Terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
, assault on verified targets and the protection of VIPs.
Organizations
PNS Iqbal is the commanding headquarter of commander SSG(N). The commander SSG(N) is placed under the command of Commander Coastal areas.SSG(N) are divided into three sub commands.
- PNS IQBAL - Commanding Headquarter of SSG(N)
- Pakistan Navy SEALs - The SEAL Group is the main stay of SEAL group. The primary objective of this team is clandestine operation in enemy’s waters with out detection and Exit Trunk operation in the enemy’s waters. The Navy SEALs also participated in both Operation Black ThunderstormOperation Black ThunderstormOperation Black Thunderstorm was an aggressive military operation that commenced on April 26, 2009 conducted by the Pakistan Army, with the aim of retaking Buner, Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla districts from the Taliban after the militants took control of them since the start of the year.- Background...
and Operation Rah-e-NijatOperation Rah-e-NijatThe Operation Rah-e-Nijat was a Pakistani military operation against the Taliban and other Islamist rebels in the South Waziristan area of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas that began on June 19, 2009; a major ground offensive was subsequently launched on October 17...
commenced by the Pakistan Army. - VBSS Team - The VBSS Group is a special members of navy who are specialized in driving the watercraft and boarts. The VBBS Group's consist of modern fast speedboats with integrated sensors and equipments.
- Anti-Terrorist Teams - The Anti-Terrorist Group (AAG) is the main organization that was developed to counter the terrorist threats. Its members are regularly trained with Army's SSG component.